Resort Report: Olympics, Snowbasin, Bromley, ORDA redux & more

NBC scored the rights to keep broadcasting the Olympics into 2020, Snowbasin is yet another ski area to reopen, Bromley has new management, volcanoes are erupting, mountain roads are getting slid and much more in this week's Resort Report.

NBCUniversal has retained the U.S. broadcast rights for the Olympic Games through 2020. The decision was announced Tuesday by the International Olympic Committee following presentations by NBC Universal, ESPN and Fox. “For two decades NBC has raised the global level of awareness and support for the Olympic movement. Today's decision continues and strengthens that vision,” said USSA President and CEO Bill Marolt. “This secures NBC's passionate legacy of telling the stories of our athletes through the excitement of skiing and snowboarding.” NBC has broadcast every Summer Olympics since 1988 and every Winter Games since 2002.

Snowbasin reopens as endless winter gains steam

Due to popular demand and a 100 inch snow base, for the first time ever Snowbasin Resort will be re-opening for weekends beginning June 11 and will remain open for as long as snow conditions allow. Skiers and riders will be able to upload and download on Needles Gondola to access multiple runs off intermediate terrain off of Middle Bowl Triple from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Snowbasin’s General Manager said, “Maintenance scheduled for Needles Gondola has been recently completed which will allow access to the Middle Bowl Triple. Cool temperatures and a significant amount of late season snow has kept our base over 100 inches deep at mid mountain so it only seems natural for Snowbasin to re-open on weekends.”

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Jiminy Peak team to manage Bromley Mountain

Jiminy Peak operating partners Brian Fairbank and his son, Tyler, have been contracted to take over managerial control of Bromley Mountain according to news reports. The owners of Jiminy, which is in Hancock, Mass., purchased Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway, N.H. for $16 million. Bromley Mountain is in Peru, Vt. The Fairbanks told the media that their first priority at Bromley will be to focus on expanding the mountain's learn-to-ski program.

Wall Street Journal says Down Under ski businss to sink

On June 6, 2011, a story in the Wall Street Journal predicted that Australia’s ski resorts are headed for a rough season. Predictions of a 65 percent chance of warmer temperatures, as well as an Australian dollar that has soared 26 percent against the U.S. dollar are the main concerns. That stronger Aussie dollar will not only keep potential North American visitors home, it will present an attractive warm-weather travel option to the Australian market.

Chilean volcano disrupting South American travel plans

Piles of ash are coating the ski areas were snow should be setting up the base for the South American ski season. An erupting volcano in Chile has been spewing a giant plume of ash across South America leaving layering mountains and towns in a thick layer of dust. International flights have been canceled and nearby residents are being asked to evacuate because of the increasing danger of flash floods and toxic gas.

In other news..

Colorado Sen. Mark Udall hit the Teva Mountain Games at Vail on June 3, 2011 to talk about the importance of summer recreation at ski areas. Udall said his Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Act will open new economic opportunities for resorts, particularly in terms of summer recreation…The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation has applied to the U.S. Olympic Committee to be certified as an Olympic and Paralympic training site for Nordic skiing…A snow slide temporarily blocked the Mount Baker Highway after several feet of spring slush covered the road…And a nonprofit citizens' group is calling for more due diligence, public scrutiny and transparency surrounding the possible transfer of the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center's management from the state Department of Environmental Conservation to the quasi-public/quasi-private state Olympic Regional Development Authority.

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